‘I watched helplessly as water washed my family away’ in Nigeria floods (BBC)
Adamu Yusuf’s life has been upended since he lost nine of his family members in Tiffin Maza, one of two communities in his town worst-hit by floods in north-central Nigeria.
The father-of-one, 36, said his wife and newborn baby were among those washed away in floods early on Thursday morning in Niger state.
“She was the one that woke me up when the flood hit, and I quickly gathered the family and told everyone to hold one another. As we stepped outside, we saw water everywhere in our living room and the compound. They panicked and we got disconnected.” Read more
Defamation: Natasha to appear in court Tuesday (Punch)
The suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will appear in court on Tuesday, as summoned.
This was confirmed by her lead counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), on Sunday.
Idahosa, however, expressed uncertainty about whether the Federal Government planned to arraign her on Tuesday. Read more
NDLEA arrests 2 Saudi-bound pilgrims, intercepts ₦9.3b drugs In Rivers (Channels)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two Saudi-bound pilgrims at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano after they were found to have ingested illicit substances.
The NDLEA said the suspects were subsequently placed on excretion observation during which they excreted 45 wraps of cocaine each, bringing the total for both to 90 pellets with a total weight of 1.04kg.
“The interdiction of the intending pilgrims at the NDLEA final screening point at the Kano airport was based on credible intelligence. When they were taken for scanning, the result confirmed ingestion of illicit substances. Read more
FG’s gas-powered vehicle scheme runs into major hitch nationwide (Vanguard)
There are indications that the Federal Government’s (FG) scheme, designed to transition Nigeria’s vehicle transportation service industry away from fossil fuel (petrol) to gas, has encountered a major hitch.
Industry stakeholders told Financial Vanguard that the initial enthusiasm has been overtaken by frustration due to supply shortages and insufficient infrastructure.
They said that inadequate refill facilities and the gas itself across the country have become the users’ and investors’ nightmare in recent times. Read more
Gov Yusuf declares Monday public holiday to mourn Kano athletes (DailyTrust)
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives in an auto accident that claimed 22 lives and left several others seriously injured.
The victims, who were mostly in their youthful age, were returning home on Saturday as Kano’s contingent from the National Sports Festival in Ogun State when their bus fell off a bridge some kilometres from Kano.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the state declared Monday, 2nd June as a public holiday to symphathise with the victims’ families. Read more
Soyinka praises Amaechi for giving Tinubu a dose of his own medicine (Guardian)
Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has praised former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his stance during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in 2022, describing it as a bold refusal to step down for then-candidate Bola Tinubu.
Soyinka made these remarks in Abuja on Saturday while celebrating Amaechi’s 60th birthday. Amaechi previously served as governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015.
The playwright said he was particularly struck by Amaechi’s defiance during the primary election, which he watched live from Abu Dhabi. Read more
How Medipool will crash prices of medicines, by Pate (Nation)
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate has explained how Medipool plan will crash prices of medicines and pharmaceuticals.
In a video made available at the weekend, Pate said procurement of medicines in bulk by the government in a public-private partnership arrangement will reduce the high cost of medicines and consumables.
He said: “Medipool is an innovative group purchasing organization created to shape our domestic market by organising and activating real demand, negotiating competitive pricing, ensuring quality, and enabling efficient supply chain management. Read more
Mum, who was accused of murdering her 3-year-old daughter, dies after being found unresponsive in jail cell (People)
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, the Australian woman accused of killing her 3-year-old daughter, has died.
Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre on Friday, May 30, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Officers provided “immediate assistance” before she was transported to the intensive care unit at a local hospital, according to ABC, which cited Queensland police. Read more
Shiloh Jolie debuts new name in unexpected powerful appearance (Hello!)
Shiloh Jolie quietly took centre stage at one of Los Angeles’ most fashionable evenings. The 19-year-old daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt made a rare but powerful appearance, choreographing a sultry dance piece that brought unexpected depth to Isabel Marant’s capsule collection launch with Net-A-Porter.
Held at the iconic Oliver House, a 1930s architectural gem in Silver Lake, the private dinner brought together fashion insiders, actors, and models under one very stylish roof. But the true spotlight moment came not from the runway, but the stage—thanks to Shiloh.
Going by the name Shi, the quietly creative teen choreographed a standout number performed by dancers Keoni Rose and Tako Suzuki to accompany singer-songwriter Luella’s live performance of her new single “Naïve.’” Read more
Ukraine drones strike bombers during major attack in Russia (BBC)
Ukraine says it completed its biggest long-range attack of the war with Russia on Sunday, after using smuggled drones to launch a series of major strikes on 40 Russian warplanes at four military bases.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said 117 drones were used in the so-called “Spider’s Web” operation by the SBU security service, striking “34% of [Russia’s] strategic cruise missile carriers”. SBU sources told BBC News it took a year-and-a-half to organise the strikes.
Russia confirmed Ukrainian attacks in five regions, calling them a “terrorist act”. Read more
Multiple people set on fire in antisemitic attack in Colorado (CNN)
A man reportedly set people on fire in Boulder, Colorado, leaving multiple individuals injured as people gathered for a demonstration in support of the Israeli hostages.
A suspect is in custody and police are investigating what FBI officials immediately called “a targeted terror attack” — though the local authorities said it was too early to define the attack and that the motive remained under investigation.
“When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims … with injuries consistent with burns,” Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said Sunday. Read more
Doctor Odyssey crew sue Disney and 20th Television alleging sexual harassment & wrongful termination (EW)
Three members of the props crew on the ABC medical drama Doctor Odyssey have filed suit against parent company Disney and producer 20th Television, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and negligent hiring, retention, and supervising practices.
Caroline Mack, Alicia Haverland, and Ava Steinbrenner claim in the suit, filed in California’s state Superior Court on Friday and obtained by Entertainment Weekly, that Tyler Patton, hired by the companies to serve as Doctor Odyssey’s assistant prop master under his wife, prop master Tammie Patton, subjected them to an “unchecked campaign of sexual harassment for months.” In response, the plaintiffs allege that the Pattons retaliated against them, Disney and 20th TV ignored their complaints, and ultimately laid off the entire props department rather than investigate and take appropriate action. Read more
Race Across the World contestant dies in car crash aged 24 (LBC)
Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner has died at the age of 24 in a car crash, his family has said.
In a statement, his mother Jo – who appeared on the 2019 series with him – and his father Andrew said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident.
“Sam left us far too soon, and whilst words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special. Read more
Joshua’s struggle may fuel Fury’s return’ (Punch)
Former WBA super middleweight champion George Groves believes Tyson Fury’s decision to retire in January is unlikely to be permanent and that the recent struggles of Anthony Joshua could prompt Fury’s return to the ring, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Speaking to Express via Lottoland boxing betting, Groves expressed confidence that Fury will return once Joshua recovers from injury or surgery, predicting the bout could take place later this year, possibly in Saudi Arabia.
“They’ve both been boxing their entire lives. They’ve earned enough and achieved plenty, but they won’t leave the table while there’s still something left for them. They’ll fight each other, and I’d like to see it. Read more
‘I would have felt guilty’: French Open superstar stuns with incredible act of sportsmanship (Fox)
A touching act of sportsmanship highlighted Carlos Alcaraz’s war of attrition with American 13th seed Ben Shelton as the reigning champion reached the French Open quarter-finals.
The Spaniard emerged victorious 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 after over three hours of blistering serves, power-hitting and drop-shots on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The four-time Grand Slam winner edged a tight first set, which produced only one unconverted break point, at the end of a lengthy tie-break that saw both players have chances to clinch the opener.
When Alcaraz finally forced a break against the big-serving Shelton in the second set, it was enough for him to move into a two-set lead. Read more
Belfast fighter goes viral as he shouts ‘Free Palestine’ in the face of Israeli opponent (Irishmirror)
A Belfast fighter has gone viral on social media after shouting “Free Palestine” in the face of his Israeli opponent during a bout in Rome.
Paddy McCorry beat Israel’s Shuki Farage in the Cage Warriors 189 event on Saturday night.
But it was McCorry’s antics during and after the fight that have made waves on social media. Read more
FIA impose further Max Verstappen penalty after Russell Spain GP crash (PlanetF1)
Having already given Max Verstappen a 10-second time penalty at the Spanish Grand Prix, the FIA stewards have taken further action.
And said action is the move to add three further penalty points to Verstappen‘s FIA Super Licence, following a controversial collision with Mercedes’ George Russell in the closing stages of the race.
Max Verstappen on brink of F1 race ban after Spanish GP
The decision comes after Verstappen drove into Russell at Turn 5, Verstappen having been instructed by his Red Bull team to concede P4 to the Mercedes driver in a late flurry of action after the Safety Car made an appearance, following the retirement of Russell’s Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli from the race. Read more
Scheffler cruises to victory at the Memorial (BBC)
World number one Scottie Scheffler continued his stunning form with a four-shot victory at the Memorial Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.
The American shot a two-under-par 70 to beat compatriot Ben Griffin, whose challenge faded on the back nine.
After bogeys on the 12th and 13th, Griffin eagled the 15th and birdied the 16th to move to within a stroke of Scheffler. Read more